| Family: |
Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Scarinae |
| Max. size: |
52.7 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,932.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 25 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: widespread in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 9793), ranging from East Africa south to Natal, South Africa (Ref. 5490) and east to Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Chagos Archipelago, and Maldives through the eastern Indian Ocean to French Polynesia and Pitcairn. Replaced by Scarus forsteni in most of the Pacific, with overlapping distributions in the Philippines, eastern Indonesia and Palau (Ref. 37816). Recently reported from Tonga (Ref. 53797). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Males differ slightly in head pattern and differences most obvious in females with yellow or red anal fins (Ref. 48636). Terminal phase similar to S. forsteni, differing primarily by having a yellow inner pectoral axil (Ref. 37816). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas with dense coral growth (Ref. 9710) up to at least 30 m. Usually solitary, sometimes in groups (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic algae (Ref. 3488). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 September 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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